A toddler, a teen and a traffic-jammed road trip. And yes, an Escape.
With a toddler and a pre-teen in tow, opting for a compact SUV for our 3-hour road trip to Boston might raise a few eyebrows. However, the 2023 Ford Escape effortlessly handled everything the road and our family could throw at it. While some may question the sanity of taking a compact SUV on a family getaway, allow me to tell you why the 2023 Ford Escape is the ultimate choice for a weekend escape.
This remarkable compact SUV underwent a stunning redesign, aligning with Ford’s desire to allure both commuters and adventure seekers. With its sleek exterior, spacious interior, and impressive mileage (we achieved an impressive real-world average of approximately 37 mpg), the 2023 Ford Escape stands out. And the best part? It all starts at just $28,000 and tops out at about $40,000 for the plug-in hybrid version, making it an exceptional value for the features it offers.
Related: You Bought a LOT of Ford Escapes. Ford Wants to Say Thank You with the 2023 Ford Escape
The ST-Line Elite Trim Package Is Simply Captivating
For our weekend getaway to Boston, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to drive the ST-Line Elite AWD, one of the five available trims in the 2023 Ford Escape lineup. ST stands for sports technology and the name is given to Ford’s performance-focused cars and SUVs. Anything reminiscent of a sports car steals my heart.
The ST-Line Elite boasts sportier features, including a sleek black mesh front grille, a distinctive rear skid plate, and a stylish single-wing rear spoiler. It catches attention with its LED lighting strip between the headlights and sleek 19-inch Ebony-painted wheels. Personally, I adore the carbonized gray metallic exterior, as it’s my all-time favorite vehicle color; all of my personal vehicles sport this shade.
Inside, the ST-Line Elite pampers with a beautiful ebony leather interior accentuated by eye-catching red stitching. The sport bucket 10-way power driver seat ensured a comfortable ride, allowing me to navigate smoothly through the holiday weekend traffic as needed.
What we loved
- Heated leather seats and steering wheel
- 360-degree camera
- Ample legroom and cargo space
- 13.2-inch touchscreen and entertainment system
- Remote start
- B&O audio system
Enhanced Safety and Agile Performance
Equipped with a blind spot information system and cross-traffic alert, the 2023 Ford Escape offers heightened safety during road trips and even when stuck in traffic. However, for drivers like me who appreciate having traffic patterns displayed on their navigation system (with red indicating heavy traffic, yellow for moderate, and green for no traffic), the Ford Escape’s navigation may leave something to be desired.
While I appreciated its availability, I found myself unprepared for the unpredictable traffic patterns on the I-95. That’s where the evasive steering assists and other safety features of the Escape truly shine, ensuring peace of mind during unexpected situations. I was thoroughly impressed by the 360-degree bird’s eye view camera of the 2023 Ford Escape, which provided crystal-clear views, making parking and maneuvering into spaces a breeze.
I thoroughly enjoyed the nimbleness of the vehicle, especially while navigating the various interstates where traffic patterns can be highly unpredictable. The Ford Escape’s agility allows for seamless stop-and-go movements, making it effortless to adapt to changing road conditions. All credit goes to the exceptional performance of the 2023 ST-Line Elite AWD HEV Ford Escape, boasting a hybrid 2.5L engine, Inline 4 Cylinders, 165 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm, and 155 lb. of Torque @ 4,000 rpm.
As a mom, I greatly appreciated the thoughtful safety features in the 2023 Ford Escape. The graphic display warning on the large 13.2-inch screen served as a helpful reminder to always check the rear seat for occupants, ensuring the safety of my children by preventing any accidental heat-related incidents. Additionally, the visual seatbelt warning on the dashboard, indicating which occupant’s seatbelt wasn’t buckled, provided an extra layer of reassurance for a secure and protected journey.
Impressive Technology Delights for Unforgettable Road Tripping
The 2023 Ford Escape makes notable upgrades to the entertainment system. It now supports over-the-air updates and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. One standout feature is the large 13.2-inch touchscreen entertainment system display, available on all trim levels except the base model. The base trim offers an 8.0-inch screen, accompanied by an 8.0-inch digital gauge display. However, starting from the Active trim, you have the option to upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch gauge display.
While adjusting to the absence of physical climate controls in favor of onscreen touch controls took some getting used to, Ford streamlined the experience by placing the controls in a permanent strip across the bottom. This eliminates the need to search through menus, ensuring quick and easy access.
For those who can’t go without Alexa, Ford’s SYNC 4 also includes embedded Alexa voice services, bringing all the conveniences of an Echo device right inside the Ford Escape. Additionally, for those moments when you forget your iPhone’s charging cord, it’s worth noting that the new Escape offers wireless CarPlay and Android Auto options, as well as wireless charging.
When it comes to audio, the six-speaker setup comes standard. However, we thoroughly enjoyed the exceptional sound quality of the 10-speaker premium B&O system, especially while tuning in to our favorite SiriusXM stations. Even at the lowest settings, the sound remained crisp and clean, noticeably surpassing the audio experience in my current vehicle.
Related: 9 Must-Have Features for a Comfortable Road Trip Car
Spacious Comfort for Everyone
Front passengers are treated to ample legroom, as my 5’11” husband found the front seat incredibly comfortable, even with our rear-facing toddler’s car seat installed behind him. This is particularly impressive considering that compact SUVs often come with a tighter interior, but the Ford Escape defied those expectations.
In the rear seating area, with my toddler’s all-in-one car seat secured using the LATCH tethers, there was still enough space for another small child to sit comfortably between the car seat and our 12-year-old daughter. The adjustable rear passenger seats are a fantastic feature. By sliding the 60/40 split-fold back, taller passengers like my husband or our lanky 12-year-old enjoyed additional legroom of up to 5.9 inches.
As the weather cooled down, I appreciated the heated seating and heated steering wheel, which enhanced our comfort during the trip. Front passengers can also enjoy the warmth of heated seating.
In the event of any device running out of battery during a road trip, the Ford Escape has you covered. With USB-A and USB-C charging ports, as well as a wireless charging pad, everyone can stay charged and content throughout the journey, ensuring comfort for all. While I did utilize the wireless charger with my iPhone 13 Pro, I noticed that the charging speed was relatively slow, and my phone tended to overheat.
A Compact SUV with Ample Cargo Capacity
When discussing the 2023 Ford Escape as the ultimate compact SUV, its remarkable cargo space cannot be overlooked. The ability to fold down the seats provides extra room to accommodate anything you might pick up along the way.
With 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, the 2023 Ford Escape allows you to effortlessly carry your everyday essentials and more while on your travels. However, the versatility doesn’t stop there. By folding down the rear seats, the cargo capacity expands to a generous 65.5 cubic feet.
This spaciousness allowed us to bring along a 19″ rolling suitcase, a large duffle bag, a sizable tote, and even bottles of water, ensuring we had everything we needed for a comfortable journey.
Pricing and Trim Levels of the 2023 Ford Escape
For those considering the 2023 ST-Line Elite AWD HEV Ford Escape, the base MSRP starts at $39,460, with a total MSRP of $43,510. To elevate your driving experience even further, the Premium Technology package is exclusively available on the ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims, offering advanced features for an additional $1,950.
It’s worth noting that the model I test-drove did not include one of my personal favorites—the Panoramic Vista roof, which can be added for an extra $1,495. As someone who appreciates the spaciousness and added natural light, a panoramic sunroof has always been a must-have feature for me. It not only makes the interior of the vehicle feel larger, but it also allows an abundance of light to flood the cabin, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Moreover, during nighttime drives, a panoramic sunroof provides a unique opportunity for smaller kids to gaze at the stars, making their journey even more enchanting.
It’s also important to mention that the ST-Line trim offers three distinct levels: the base ST-Line, the mid-level ST-Line Select, and the top-of-the-line ST-Line Elite. Each level provides a range of features and customization options, ensuring your vehicle meets your specific preferences.
Below are the starting prices of each 2023 Ford Escape trim.
- Base – starts at $28,000 and includes: Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, second-row sliding seats with 60/40 split-fold down, Ford co-pilot360
- Active – starts at $29,345 and includes: dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, a power liftgate, rotary gear shift dial
- ST-Line – starts at $30,340 and includes unique exterior & interior st-line styling, 18-inch rock metallic-painted-aluminum wheels
- ST-Line Select – starts at $34,040 and includes an LED reflector with led signature lighting, heated front row seats
- ST-Line Elite (the model I test-drove) – starts at $38,460 and includes a 360-degree camera with split view, sync4 with 13.2-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen, 2.0l EcoBoost engine with auto start-stop technology
- Platinum – starts at $37,465 and includes intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, and speed sign recognition, premium-wrapped heated steering wheels with cruise and audio controls, privacy glass – 2nd-row side and liftgate
- Plug-In Hybrid – starts at $40,500 and includes, connected built-in navigation (with 3 years of service), piano black grille with chrome strip, plug-in hybrid 2.5l IVCT Atkinson-cycle I-4 engine
Related: The 2021 Ford Escape PHEV Hybrid Is Surprisingly Deep
The Best Weekend Getaways, the Best Compact SUV
Our journey in the 2023 Ford Escape was an absolute joy, solidifying its position as the best compact SUV for road-tripping families and travelers. From its impressive fuel efficiency to its advanced entertainment system, the Escape exceeded our expectations at every turn. Its practical and easy-to-clean interior provided the perfect balance of functionality and style, catering to the needs of families on the go.
With the 2023 Escape as your trusty companion, you can bid farewell to ordinary commutes and welcome extraordinary adventures on the open road. Embrace the freedom and excitement of road-tripping with the 2023 Ford Escape, the ultimate choice for your unforgettable journeys.
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